In the research, premature newborns were pegged at six times more likely to die compared to newborn babies carried to full term, and three times as likely to die before their first birthday compared to that same group.

Premature babies are highly vulnerable to many things -- no doubt about that. But, these new figures are surprising to say the least. Three to six times as likely to die early just doesn't sit well. All nine months of that development would seem required, yes?